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A survey by the Healthcare Financial Management Association showed 37% of responding chief financial officers believe physician employment will continue to increase at about 10% to 24% per year, while 30% of hospitals will continue establishing working relationships with independent practices, which may promote coordination and improved patient experiences. Quality- and efficiency-related incentives for physicians were also expected to grow, researchers noted.

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A survey by MedData Group revealed 58% of responding physicians said patients often misunderstand medical information obtained online, and 51% said that information frequently includes inaccuracies. Fourteen percent said the Internet has made protection of patient data more challenging.

MedSnap launched last week the MedSnap ID app designed to identify pills and help correct medication errors. The app identifies medications using an iPhone camera and pulls data such as drug interaction information, disease data and detailed clinical information.

A survey from the Massachusetts Medical Society of 1,137 physician practices in Massachusetts found 51% of family physicians and 45% of internists are accepting new patients. Data showed the average wait time to see a family physician was 39 days, down from 45 days last year, while the wait time to see an internist increased six days to 50 days.

Data from the Beryl Institute's Patient Experience Benchmarking Study showed that leadership overwhelmed by competing priorities was the biggest hurdle in improving patient experience. Lack of physician support, insufficient budget and general cultural resistance also stand in the way of efforts to improve patient experience, researchers noted.

U.S. researchers said it may take longer than expected to reduce preventable readmissions by Medicare patients because of the challenges in providing care coordination. The report in Population Health Management said that infrastructure issues hamper coordination and that collaboration across care settings takes effort.